Commissioners to seek budget authority, cell phone tax

Authority to reduce annual county budgets when revenue falls short and more funding for county 911 emergency services are two of the major legislative proposals to be sought by statewide county commissioners when the Missouri General Assembly convenes next month.

Callaway County Western District Commissioner Doc Kritzer, who is the new president of the County Commissioners Association of Missouri, said most people believe county commissioners throughout Missouri already have authority to reduce county budgets if necessary during the year but they don’t.

“County government is the only public entity that lacks authority for decreasing the county budget after it has been approved at the start of the year. The state law has a provision that allows commissioners to increase the county budget if the county receives additional revenue or a grant but not to reduce the county budget,” Kritzer said.